WATER-PROOF WINTER WORKING GLOVES VS REGULAR WINTER WORKING GLOVES.

Would you pay more for a pair of water-proof winter gloves than regular winter gloves? Let's talk about it from my perspective and maybe discover which one might be the best fit for you.?

Water-proof winter working gloves:?

Water resistance: Water-proof gloves are designed to keep the hands dry in wet and snowy conditions. They either have 1) a special coating on the surface and/or 2) added material that repels water, ensuring the hands stay dry and warm.?

Versatility: These gloves are best suited for activities that may involve exposure to snow or rain, such as building, construction, road work and other outdoor professions.?

Comfort: Water-proof gloves are built to withstand moisture, which means they keeps the hands dry longer. Dry hands make it more comfortable to work for longer periods of time.?

Noteworthy: While they are excellent at keeping the hands dry, water-proof winter gloves tend to feel bulkier compared to regular winter gloves. It may affect flexibility and make it harder to do precision work.??

Regular winter working gloves:?

Warmth: Regular winter gloves are primarily designed for warmth. They offer excellent insulation and are ideal for cold temperatures. They tend to offer some degree of water-resistance, but they will only keep out water to a point.?

Comfort: Regular winter working gloves tend to be more breathable since they don’t have a barrier for keeping water out., making them perfect for everyday use during the winter season.?

Protection: While they may not be water-repellent, they still provide protection against cold and wind, which may be sufficient as long as it’s not raining. Additionally, regular winter working gloves are more often equipped with multiple types of protection, such as cut resistance or impact protection.?

Noteworthy: These gloves will not keep your hands dry for long in wet conditions. Wet hands get cold faster so they may not be the best choice in winter if you are exposed to water and moisture.?

Next level of winter working gloves – EN511?

If you are serious about really protecting your hands against cold, you should know about EN511. It's essential to understand this standard to ensure that the winter gloves meet the minimum protection requirements.??

EN511 is a European standard that verifies gloves on their ability to protect against cold. The certification consists of three key aspects:?

Convective Cold Resistance (Performance Level 0-4): This measures the glove's ability to protect against cold air. A higher level indicates better protection.?

Contact Cold Resistance (Performance Level 0-4): This assesses the glove's ability to protect against cold surfaces. Again, a higher level suggests better protection.?

Water Penetration Resistance (Performance Level 0-1): This test determines the glove's resistance to water penetration. A level of 1 means the glove is water-resistant.?

Click here to read the full breakdown about EN511

https://softtouch.se/knowledgecenter/2/en511-protection-against-cold

What’s the short version??

The choice between water-proof winter gloves and regular winter working gloves very much depends on the needs. If you are exposed to frequent wet and moisture, water-proof winter gloves protect your hands better.? If you work in mild weather or need maximum precision, choose regular winter working gloves.??

If you are exposed to cold for long periods of time, or work in very cold temperatures it’s crucial to ensure that you chose EN511 certified gloves to ensure adequate protection.??

Do note that these are my personal observations and experiences, and you may feel differently. That is why I always recommend you get a few different models and do testing on your own to find out which one suits you the best.??

Don’t forget to keep the hands warm, safe, and protected this winter.?